Thursday, November 30, 2006

If you are a regular reader of this blog and have some mil frequency information to share, I would like to hear from you. I am interested in mil bases and frequencies worldwide (both aero and LMR), any mil trunk systems, mil satellite systems, and a special interest in any of the recent Euro frequency changes (especially any NATO frequencies and their push designators). You can remain anonymous or full credit will be given to anyone that contributes info (your choice so please advise in your correspondence).

You can send your info to larryvanhorn @ monitoringtimes.com. So how about sharing your frequency and callsign information with other readers of the most popular radio military site on the internet - the MT Milcom Blogspot. 73 de Chief

Air Force and Navy members greet the Pacific Fleet’s C-37A upon its arrival at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, Nov. 18. The plane as well as the Navy’s Executive Transport Detachment moved to Hickam, where it will work with the Air Force's 65th Airlift Squadron that flies similar planes for the Pacific Command and Pacific Air Forces commanders. The Navy C-37A business jet replaces the modified P-3 aircraft the unit used to fly. The Executive Transport Detachment will consist of 24 pilots and enlisted aircrew members. They join the aircrew members from the 65th AS, which employs more than 50 pilots, flight engineers, communication system operators, flight attendants and administrative personnel. The squadron routinely flies more than 200 distinguished visitor missions each year to locations around the world and has hosted such dignitaries such as former President George H. W. Bush. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Erin Smith)

The air control tower is abuzz with activity as Italian air force and U.S. Air Force air traffic controllers direct multiple flights of fighters Nov. 28, 2006, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Air traffic controllers perform duties within a radar facility and maintain radar surveillance of approach control airspace, processing and coordinating aircraft through terminal control. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Michael S. Dorus)

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

According to an official we talked to at NEADS yesterday (28 Nov 2006), the new dividing line for the West ADS from the new eastern US ADS based at Griffiss is the Mississippi River. Also I have been told that the NEADS title for the Griffiss bunch will change within the next month. I have a request in for a new graphic of the NORAD Sectors and several other questions I want to have answered and will hopefully hear from more sources very soon. When I do I will pass along those results here on the MT Milcom Blog.

In the meantime, here are some frequencies heard in the southeast United States that Huntress (NEADS) has been heard on since Oak Grove was decommissioned:

243.000252.000254.200265.400282.600288.400320.600364.200 Air Intercept Control Common (AICC)387.800

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

After more than 37 years of monitoring America's airways, the flip of a ceremonial switch on November 17, 2006, marked the close of operations here for the Southeast Air Defense Sector.

More than 100 members of the tight-knit SEADS fraternity looked on as Continental U.S. NORAD Region leaders marked the passing of the SEADS mission while celebrating its impending transformation to the 601st Air Operations Center.

"It's an emotional and historic event," said Colonel David Kriner, former SEADS, and now 601 AOC, commander, "as we are now actively re-rolling this mission, closing one chapter and opening another in supporting this war-fighting headquarters as an Air Operations Center."

SEADS responsibility for air defense of the southeastern United States began in April 1982 following its transfer from Duluth, Minn., where it had served as the 23rd Air Division under the Aerospace Defense Command since November 1969. In October 1996 SEADS transitioned completely to the Air National Guard and became a Geographically Separated Unit assigned within the Florida Air National Guard.

Since then its responsibility for defense of approximately 1,000,000 square miles of airspace, and 3,000 miles of coastline from Virginia to Texas, marked SEADS as the busiest of CONR's three sectors.

That responsibility now rests with CONR's Northeast Air Defense Sector in Rome, N.Y., and Western Air Defense Sector at McChord AFB in Washington state.

"This decision was made nearly four years ago to first modernize the air defense system, and then consolidate CONR's three air defense sectors into two as we transitioned into an AOC" said Col. Kriner. "To facilitate that CONR moved the WADS responsibilities further to the east, while NEADS area of responsibility extended further south, all the way down to the Straits of Florida."

As for the 601 AOC, Colonel Kriner said the next step in the migration involves training.

"We've got more than 250 full-time Air National Guardsmen that need to be trained and integrated into the processes of an AOC in providing air tasking order and strategy-to-task functions," he said.

"We've been working nearly four years toward this, and everyone's excited for what they're going to do next, what they're going to learn, and how we're going to work together as an AOC and Air Force Forces staff in support of CONR."

Brigadier General Charles Campbell, AFNORTH vice commander and Florida Air National Guardsman, lauded the SEADS team on their accomplishments.

"You know, these days, a lot of people talk about finishing well. Well I can tell you, this team finished well," he said. "They held it together while we moved toward the AOC mission through holidays, hurricanes and missed time with families - it was truly a job well done."

Photo above:Colonel David Kriner (left) 601 AOC commander, flips the ceremonial switch with (right) Maj. Gen. Hank Morrow, 1st Air Force commander, and SEADS Master Sgt Judy Butler-McGuire and Tech Sgt James Middleton. The ceremony marked the closure of operations at SEADS and its continued transition to the 601st Air Operations Center. (Photo by Deb Kiser and courtesy of the USAF).

A Sentinel communications vehicle assigned to U.S. Army North is offloaded November 15, 2006, from a C-17 at McClellan Business Park in Sacramento, Calif. The movement from Fort Sam Houston, Texas, marked the first time the communications vehicle has been air deployed. Within one hour of the offload, satellite telephone and computer communications capability were established to support USARNORTH's participation in Exercise Golden Guardian, a weeklong earthquake consequence management exercise. The Sentinel is designed to maintain communications between local, state and federal agencies, as well as Department of Defense assets deployed to support civil authorities during natural or manmade disasters. USARNORTH is the Army's newest service component command and is assigned to U.S. Northern Command, the unified command responsible for defending the U.S. homeland and providing defense support to civil authorities.

McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFPN) -- With the snip of a fiber-optic ribbon, the Western Air Defense Sector opened its multi-million dollar operations center here Nov. 20.

The opening culminated an 18-month effort that now stands WADS as a significant, technically advanced deterrent against asymmetrical threats over a significant portion of America's airspace.

"This is an important technological breakthrough that definitely enhances our nation's defense," said Maj. Gen. Timothy Lowenberg, Washington State's adjutant general. "By incorporating the latest technologies and infrastructure WADS now protects the airspace over roughly 72 percent of the country.

"And we have the capability to cover the National Capitol Region and eastern United States if the call arises," he said.

Gone are the green-swept scopes and darkened control rooms reminiscent of the Cold War. The refurbished Sector Operations Control Center enjoins state-of-the-art air defense systems and cutting-edge computer technology to significantly increase surveillance and identification capabilities, and better protect the nation's airways from intrusion and attack.

The SOCC also incorporates a newly-developed situational awareness system that gives WADS unprecedented tools and technology to assist state and local responders in dealing with natural disasters.

The upgrade included renovation of a 6,300-square-foot WADS operations floor and the installation of more than 22 miles of fiber-optic cable and 10 miles of category 5 copper cables, at a cost of more than $1.8 million. According to General Lowenberg, the installation efforts paralleled the remarkable technology.

"This was quite an engineering feat ... to make massive changes in a building with 10-inch reinforced concrete floors, supported by 15-inch outside walls and a grid of three-foot square concrete columns," he said.

The original facility, built in 1958, housed a node of the nationwide Semi-Automatic Ground Environment, or SAGE, system that revolutionized air defense in the 1960s.According to the Federation of American Scientists, SAGE's automatic data-processing capability replaced manual systems in observing, plotting and transmitting information, and assigning targets for air defense weapons. Its revolutionary integrated radar and computer technology also contributed significantly to the development of civilian air traffic control systems.

Today, the SOCC employs 27 NORAD contingency suites, and 31 state-of-the-art Battle Control System-Fixed, or BCS-F, displays. A next-generation air sovereignty system, BCS-F fuses data from airborne, ground and naval elements and civil air traffic sensors into an integrated air picture. This allows commanders to surveil and monitor the airspace above, beyond and within U.S. and Canadian borders, providing a major component for homeland defense.

Rep. Adam Smith, of Washington State's 9th District, attended the opening and congratulated the WADS team for stepping up to the difficult challenge

"We have the technology, but getting it in place and making it work is not always easy... It takes all of you to get it done," said Rep. Smith. "For all of you who do the work day in and day out to keep us safe, I thank you."

Friday, November 24, 2006

MARIETTA, Ga. (AFPN) -- The second fully modernized Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy test aircraft made its first flight Nov. 17 from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. This is the second of three aircraft that will comprise the new C-5M test fleet.

"The C-5M represents a true recapitalization program for a critical capability, ensuring a viable strategic airlift resource for America through the year 2040," said George Shultz, vice president, Lockheed Martin C-5 Modernization program.

"Modernized C-5 Galaxy aircraft will improve the fleet aircraft availability and the overall reliability and maintainability, while reducing total ownership costs," Mr. Shultz said. "The C-5M provides the U.S. Air Force and American taxpayer with a significant return on their investment."

"We're excited about the C-5M," said Col. Devin Cate, 716th Aeronautical Systems Group commander at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. "Who wouldn't be excited about being on a new aircraft program? People can say it's an old airplane, but the C-5M is a new version. It has so much more capability than the current fleet."

The C-5M includes avionics modernization, along with reliability enhancement and re-engining. The Avionics Modernization Program adds a new, modern cockpit that includes a digital all-weather flight control system and autopilot, a new communications suite, flat panel displays, and enhanced navigation and safety equipment to ease crew workload and enhance situational awareness.

C-5 aircraft which have completed the AMP process have logged more than 4,000 hours with the new system, many of which were flown in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.The centerpiece of the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program is the General Electric CF6-80C2 commercial engine, which has more than 288 million flight hours on more than 229 commercial and military customers, including the VC-25s (Air Force One) used by the president of the United States. This engine delivers a 22 percent increase in thrust to the C-5M, a 30 percent shorter take-off roll, has a 58 percent faster climb rate and will allow significantly more cargo to be carried over longer distances.

The first test aircraft first flew June 19 and has logged more than 51 flight hours. It completed dynamic taxi testing at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in August. This latest aircraft will be used mostly for utilities and subsystem tests, airfield performance, and diagnostics testing. Both of these aircraft were originally C-5B models. A third test aircraft to be brought up to C-5M standards, a C-5A, is currently in the final stages of modernization and scheduled to fly later this year.

With more than 2 million flight hours since entering the fleet in 1970, the C-5 has been the backbone of strategic airlift in every military engagement from Vietnam through Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is the only aircraft capable of carrying 100 percent of certified air-transportable cargo and includes a dedicated passenger compartment enabling commanders to have troops and their equipment arrive in an area of operation simultaneously.

For those of you who live in the SE US, here are some Lockheed freqs to watch for C-5M test activity on from the MT Milcom frequency vault.

Activity on the frequencies listed below is limited to the description that accompanies it. Any other usage is "TABOO." This is known within the DoD community as the "TABOO" frequency list.

Frequency (kHz)490.0 GMDSS/METEOROLOGY AND NAVIGATION WARNINGS500.0 GMDSS/DISTRESS AND CALLING518.0 GMDSS/NAVTEX/METEOROLOGY AND NAVIGATION WARNINGS2174.5 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY2182.0 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS2187.5 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY3023.0 INTERNATIONAL SEARCH AND ESCUE4125.0 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS AND SAFETY4177.5 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY4207.5 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY4209.5 GMDSS/NAVTEX METEOROLOGY AND NAVIGATION WARNINGS4210.0 INTERNATIONAL MARITIME NAVIGATION SAFETY5680.0 INTERNATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE6215.0 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS AND SAFETY6268.0 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY6312.0 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY6314.0 INTERNATIONAL MARITIME SAFETY/GMDSS8291.0 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY8364.0 INTERNATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE/SURVIVAL CRAFT8376.5 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY8414.5 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY8416.5 GMDSS/INTERNATIONAL MARITIME SAFETY12290.0 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY12520.0 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY12577.0 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY12579.0 GMDSS/INTERNATIONAL NAVIGATION SAFETY16420.0 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY16695.0 INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS/SAFETY16804.5 INTL DISTRESS/SAFETY16806.5 GMDSS/INTERNATIONAL MARITIME SAFETY19680.5 GMDSS/INTERNATIONAL MARITIME SAFETY22376.0 GMDSS/INTERNATIONAL MARITIME SAFETY26100.5 GMDSS/INTERNATIONAL MARITIME SAFETY

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

I want to wish all the men and women of our Armed Forces and their families a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday, that will be celebrated here in the US tomorrow November 23. Thank you for your service to this country.

Happy holiday also to all my Milcom Blog readers. Unless there is major breaking news, we will be enjoying the holiday tomorrow with my family and will not be posting to the blog.

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- The Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 “Rooks” returned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Nov. 17, concluding a six-month deployment.“We completed an outstanding deployment, made possible due to a phenomenal effort by the Rook Sailors,” said Cmdr. Mike Buchanan, commanding officer of VAQ-137. “When you put so much focus into your job the last six months, finally seeing your family again is extremely emotional.”

The squadron left Whidbey Island in May, and by the next month were conducting split-site operations from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and from Al Asad air base in Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

"It was a great deployment. We received unbelievable support from the carrier and the air base,” said Lt. Colin Allen.

In June, the Rooks flew more than 500 combat hours in country with two jets and 50 maintenance personnel.

They supported a second detachment during September and October with three jets and flew more than 1,200 combat hours. Overall, the Rooks flew 326 sorties out of 330 scheduled for a 99 percent sortie-completion rate in support of OIF. A total of 2,050 hours were flown during the deployment.

“It was a long cruise and felt quite a bit longer than six-and-a-half months,” said Lt. Cmdr. Rich Knapp. “I’m glad to be home and someplace less than 90 degrees every day.”“The squadrons performance was outstanding. Our maintenance department provided tremendous support,” said Knapp.

The Rooks were also the first Prowler squadron to deploy with the Improved Capability III Block 2 software to include LINK 16. This updated electronic attack detection suite provides for expanded frequency coverage, improved geo-location, increased interoperability, and integrated communications jamming capability.

Also returning are 20 members of the Sea Operational Det. from Fleet Readiness Center Northwest that provides technical support to keep the jets in top condition.

According to Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, the purpose of training as a CTF during JTFEX is to provide warfare commanders with the greatest capability and staying power for fighting the global war on terrorism with a dual-carrier, combat-ready, maritime force.

JTFEX is the final phase before JCSSG is certified by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet as “deployment ready.” It uses a free-flowing battle problem that employs multiple scenarios to enable JCSSG to demonstrate that it is capable of integrating into a CTF.

As the commander of CTF 150, Quinn has operational control of both carrier strike groups (CSG). Merging strike groups into a CTF increases the assets available to the commander in theater. The mission of the task force is similar to that of a carrier strike group, but much larger in scale and scope: to deter and dissuade aggression, keep sea-lanes open for commerce, and conduct maritime security operations.

“With a carrier task force, we are training like we fight,” said Quinn. “As the Navy looks at different hot spots overseas, the best response to many scenarios requires a multi-carrier task force.”

CTF 150 spent one week conducting a wide range of maritime security operations across many different warfare disciplines. As elements of the CTF, Stennis Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 and Reagan's CVW-14 effectively became a single team.

“We are now integrating two CSG air wings who, combined, are providing the strike warfare arm of CTF 150,” said Capt. Sterling Gilliam, commander, CVW-9. “The combination provides greater flexibility, striking power, and persistence than one carrier air wing could provide alone.”

For the JTFEX, air power “persistence” is essential. During normal cyclic flight operations, a pilot spends a significant amount of time transiting to and from target areas. With the enhanced capabilities CTF 150 provides, by alternating air plan flight cycles, CTF 150 is able to maintain a nearly constant air presence over the targeted areas.

According to Gilliam, it is difficult for one CVW to conduct flight operations for much more than about 12 hours before having to stop. However, with the combined striking power of two CVWs, CTF 150 is able to conduct air operations over a continuous 24-hour cycle.

“During the early days of Operation Enduring Freedom, I was aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) operating with USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) off the coast of Afghanistan,” said Gilliam. “When the order to launch air strikes arrived, together, both CVWs flew 24-hours a day.”

“At any one time,” said Gilliam, “We are able to provide focused air power to overwhelm any adversary we could potentially face.”

According to Lt. Cmdr. Kitja Horpayak, DESRON 21 tactical action officer, CTF 150 will also conduct exercises in expanded maritime interdiction, vessel boarding, and oil-platform defense.“This exercise is designed to ensure we have the right assets on station and subject matter experts available, so we can seamlessly shift from planning a mission to executing it,” said Horpayak. “We are also shifting command and control of the various disciplines [MIO, ASW, ASUW, MW] between the Carrier Strike Force to practice shifting authorities, so we can ensure we have the right combination of command and control where and when they are most needed.”Of the four disciplines, ASW is a top war fighting priority and continues to increase in importance.

“Our ability to track, identify, and if neccessary target submarines is of the utmost importance. Exercises, such as JTFEX 07-1, allow carrier strike groups to hone their warfighting skills and ensure we are proficent and effective during our upcoming deployment in support of global war on terror,” said Horpayak.

“The exercises are very dynamic and challenging,” said Quinn. “No matter what scenario we might face, my number one priority is to provide a combat ready carrier strike group. That way, we are ready for any missions that we could face on deployment.”

11/20/2006 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Air Force is about to enter a new era in communications technology. Officials at the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., have signed a $7.8M contract with Thales Communications, Incorporated, for the delivery of the first Joint Tactical Radio System radios to the Air Force.

More than 1200 JTRS-enhanced multiband inter/intra team radios, known as JEM radios, will be delivered to civil engineer explosive ordnance disposal units, security forces and air support operations squadrons across the Air Force. The radios will provide communications for convoy operations and enhance interoperability with the Army.

JTRS is a Defense Department-mandated, software-defined radio development program. A key element of the JTRS program is the network-centric capability it will provide to the warfighter.JTRS eventually will bring internet-like capabilities to the battlefield, enabling the transfer of voice, data and video between Air Force and joint users alike.

Another significant feature is the ability of JTRS radios to "port" and operate various waveforms. Porting refers to loading of a software application that emulates the capabilities of legacy radios in use in the field today.

In short, if a user needs to talk to an Air Force aircraft using a specific waveform, that waveform is loaded into the radio. If later, that same user needs to communicate with an Army convoy unit using a completely different waveform, then that waveform is loaded into the same radio.This capability gives the warfighter interoperability in a joint environment without the need to carry and maintain numerous different types of radios.

The JEM being delivered to the Air Force, while not network capable, will provide the interoperability aspects the JTRS program is seeking to fulfill. Aside from the basic ultra high frequency and very high frequency AM voice waveforms, the JEM will work in several frequency-hopping modes, plus is capable of porting future JTRS waveforms within its operating range. Deliveries will begin later this year.

This delivery of radios is just the first installment of a multi-year migration to JTRS. The Air Force's path to JTRS is documented in the Air Force JTRS migration plan. This document, compiled by the Air Force Command and Control Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center JTRS lead command office, was originally signed Dec. 29, 2003.

The JTRS lead command office has conducted numerous data calls throughout the Air Force to determine what requirements exist, validated those requirements through the major commands, and documented them in the migration plan. Version 2 of the migration plan is currently being staffed through the MAJCOMs, and is expected to be signed before the end of the year.

And from Thales:

Thales’ AN/PRC-148 JEM Becomes the First Government Approved Joint Tactical Radio System Radio in Production

CLARKSBURG, Md., November 16, 2006: Thales Communications, Inc., announces the award of a competitive contract from the U.S. Air Force Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Program Office, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, Mass., for the purchase of more than 1,200 AN/PRC-148 JEM radios. This award will equip security forces, civil engineering, and tactical air control personnel with the AN/PRC-148 JEM as well as associated ancillaries and accessories.

The AN/PRC-148 JEM--JTRS Enhanced Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR)--is the first JTRS radio certified for compliance with Software Communications Architecture (SCA)*. The only JTRS radio to have successfully completed Joint Interoperability Test Command testing, the AN/PRC-148 JEM has been deemed to be effective and suitable for deployment to the field. The needs of the warfighter are now met with a low-risk radio that not only incorporates JTRS SCA architecture but has also been user-tested and qualified in operational field conditions.

“The JEM provides the backbone for a system communications solution that will allow the Air Force to migrate toward, and stay on the forefront of, new technology,” said Ray Bruhn, manager of Air Force programs at Thales Communications. “It positions them to maximize use of their available resources, meet the mounting challenges of size-, weight-, and power-constrained battlespace environments, and maintain their technological edge.”

Based on the combat-proven MBITR and developed under a formal U.S. Government program of record, the JEM provides a seamless, cost-effective path to JTRS. The radio leverages a proven platform, and provides a JTRS solution that bridges the gap between legacy equipment and future JTRS technologies. Thales has turned the JTRS vision into reality and is providing warfighters with tomorrow’s radio today.

*SCA compliant with waivers

Editor’s Note: There are currently more than 80,000 AN/PRC-148 MBITRs fielded, and this number is continually increasing. The AN/PRC-148 MBITR is being used extensively in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Global War on Terrorism. The AN/PRC-148 (both MBITR and JEM configurations) is the cornerstone of a complete system solution for the warfighter which includes a Vehicle Adapter with a unique, cable-free, rapid radio dismount capability; the dual radio AN/VRC-111 Vehicle Adapter Amplifier; Base Station for fixed applications; Tactical Repeater for range extension; and compact, rugged Man Portable System for dismounted operations requiring higher power output (20 watts).

The joint government and industry launch was carrying the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System satellite (GPS 2R-16). This launch was led by the 45th Space Wing.

The satellite launched is the third of the modernized GPS satellites that incorporates various improvements that will provide greater accuracy, increased resistance to interference and enhanced performance for users.

It will become part of a system consisting of a 24-satellite constellation that provides continuous and precise navigation and timing information to military and civilian users worldwide.

"This success is another example of how the 45th Space Wing is at the leading edge of providing combat effects to our warfighters," said Brig. Gen. Susan Helms, 45th SW commander.

Capt. Greg Vice, of the 1st Space Launch Squadron, was the Air Force launch crew commander for the mission.

"Our launch team is tremendous," he said. "This was our third Delta II launch within seven weeks. Launching systems such as GPS is one of the many ways space operators contribute to the Global War on Terror."

The GPS is a space-based positioning and navigation system. Operations such as mapping, aerial refueling, rendezvous operations, geodetic surveying and, search and rescue operations have all benefited from GPS accuracy.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

After more than 37 years of monitoring America's airways, the flip of a ceremonial switch today marked the close of operations here for the Southeast Air Defense Sector.

More than 100 members of the tight-knit SEADS fraternity looked on as Continental U.S. NORAD Region leaders marked the passing of the SEADS mission while celebrating its impending transformation to the 601st Air Operations Center.

"It's an emotional and historic event," said Colonel David Kriner, former SEADS, and now 601 AOC, commander, "as we are now actively re-rolling this mission, closing one chapter and opening another in supporting this war-fighting headquarters as an Air Operations Center."

SEADS responsibility for air defense of the southeastern United States began in April 1982 following its transfer from Duluth, Minn., where it had served as the 23rd Air Division under the Aerospace Defense Command since November 1969. In October 1996 SEADS transitioned completely to the Air National Guard and became a Geographically Separated Unit assigned within the Florida Air National Guard.

Since then its responsibility for defense of approximately 1,000,000 square miles of airspace, and 3,000 miles of coastline from Virginia to Texas, marked SEADS as the busiest of CONR's three sectors.

That responsibility now rests with CONR's Northeast Air Defense Sector in Rome, N.Y., and Western Air Defense Sector at McChord AFB in Washington state.

"This decision was made nearly four years ago to first modernize the air defense system, and then consolidate CONR's three air defense sectors into two as we transitioned into an AOC" said Col. Kriner. "To facilitate that CONR moved the WADS responsibilities further to the east, while NEADS area of responsibility extended further south, all the way down to the Straits of Florida."

As for the 601 AOC, Colonel Kriner said the next step in the migration involves training.

"We've got more than 250 full-time Air National Guardsmen that need to be trained and integrated into the processes of an AOC in providing air tasking order and strategy-to-task functions," he said. "We've been working nearly four years toward this, and everyone's excited for what they're going to do next, what they're going to learn, and how we're going to work together as an AOC and Air Force Forces staff in support of CONR."

Brigadier General Charles Campbell, AFNORTH vice commander and Florida Air National Guardsman, lauded the SEADS team on their accomplishments.

"You know, these days, a lot of people talk about finishing well. Well I can tell you, this team finished well," he said. "They held it together while we moved toward the AOC mission through holidays, hurricanes and missed time with families - it was truly a job well done."

Blog Editors Note: Based on the facts in hand I believe that the SBIRS HEO payload described below was carried on the USA 184/NROL-22 satellite launched 6/28/2006 as a secondary payload. Jonathan McDowell in his JSR 567 says the primary payload is a Jumpseat SIGINT. Av Week says the primary payload says it is a SDS relay bird. At this point I do not see any compelling evidence for either of the two missions, however, based on possible length of mission and on-orbit payloads, I tend to lean towards Jonathan's pri payload theory.

Ted Molczan passed along the following elset on the SEESAT-L newsgroup:

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The U.S. Air Force successfully completed initial early on-orbit checkout of the first Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) payload. SBIRS will deliver a new generation of space-based satellites providing missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence, and battlespace awareness to combatant commanders.

The SBIRS Wing at the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), Los Angeles AFB, Calif., is developing and acquiring the system, and the 460th Space Wing, headquartered at Buckley AFB, Colo., will operate SBIRS.

General Kevin Chilton, Commander, Air Force Space Command, said, "SBIRS presents a new era of global surveillance with the ability to detect and report events that were previously beyond our capabilities, providing greatly improved support to our combatant commanders."

The initial ground phase of SBIRS, called Increment 1, became operational in 2001, using a new consolidated ground architecture that processes data from current on-orbit Defense Support Program satellites. The payload, operating in a highly elliptical orbit (HEO), is the first component of the Increment 2 constellation, ultimately including two HEO payloads and multiple satellites in geosynchronous earth orbit.

The SBIRS team, composed of personnel from the Air Force as well as Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor, and Northrop Grumman, the payload developer, confirmed the deployment, checkout, and testing of the HEO payload, focusing on calibration of the infrared sensors as well as line-of-sight testing. Performance is meeting or exceeding all specified mission requirements. The payload will be fully operationally certified by summer of 2008.

"Launch and checkout of the first SBIRS HEO system is a critical step in demonstrating this important new operational capability," Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel, SMC commander, said. "SBIRS will deliver revolutionary new ways to address some of the most serious threats the nation faces."

System Description (Courtesy of Lockheed Martin)

Under contract to the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the prime contractor and systems integrator for the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) High program. SBIRS High is the nationÂs next-generation missile warning system and will also provide greatly expanded capabilities for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

When fully operational, SBIRS High will comprise of two payloads in highly elliptical orbit (HEO), four satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO), as well as fixed and mobile ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data.

SBIRS High is already providing the nation with enhanced worldwide missile detection and tracking capabilities, battlefield data, and technical intelligence through its ground segment. The first phase of the program, declared operational in 2001, consolidated ground functions of four remote sites into one centralized ground station. In addition to processing missile-warning data from Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites currently on orbit and managing the DSP constellation, the SBIRS ground station is credited with delivering significant operations and maintenance savings for its customer.

Friday, November 17, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Air Force is developing an Orbital Test Vehicle, based on the design of a NASA X-37 technology demonstrator, to continue full-scale development and on-orbit testing of an unmanned long-duration, reusable space vehicle. The new OTV effort takes advantage of industry and government investments by Air Force, NASA, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office will lead the initiative with continued participation of NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory. Boeing is the prime contractor for the OTV program.

Following transfer from NASA to DARPA in October 2004, the X-37 technology demonstrator, the Approach and Landing Test Vehicle, recently completed a series of captive carry and free flight tests from a commercial aircraft. The ALTV validated the X-37 program flight dynamics and extended the flight envelope beyond the earlier low speed/low altitude tests conducted by NASA. The ALTV, in its current configuration, is not capable of space flight.

The OTV program will focus on risk reduction, experimentation, and operational concept development for reusable space vehicle technologies, in support of long term developmental space objectives. The first orbital test flight of the OTV is planned for FY08, with a launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on an Atlas V launch vehicle. Key objectives of the first flight include demonstration and validation of guidance, navigation and control systems to include fault tolerant, autonomous reentry and landing as well as lightweight high temperature structures and landing gear. Either Vandenberg Air Force Base or Edwards AFB will conduct reentry and recovery activities.

Mr. Eddy Waters of Collinswood, South Australia, has kindly forward the following Stanag 4285 protocol frequencies he has monitored from his down under monitoring post. I will have more on this in my January MT Help Column. There will be more HF frequencies from Eddy here on the MT Milcom blog and the non-mil stuff on my Btown Monitoring Post blog at http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/

Ronald Reagan is participating in the FRTP as part of the Navy’s continuing effort to ensure ships maintain a heightened state of readiness for short-notice deployments in the event they are needed to support the global war on terrorism.“This sustainment training will keep the Ronald Reagan and CVW-14 at the same level of performance we demonstrated during our combat deployment,” said Capt. Terry B. Kraft, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. “Our goal during this underway period is to refresh the skills we utilized earlier this year.”

During the underway period, Ronald Reagan and CVW-14 will be conducting various drills and mission-specific scenarios designed to improve both watch team and air crew proficiency. Some of the scenarios are scheduled to include exercises in strike warfare, air defense, close air support, and general quarters.

“We will stress every facet of our skills this underway,” said Kraft. “In today’s climate, it’s important that we maintain our combat state of readiness so that we remain ready to deploy without a lengthy training cycle.”

Since Ronald Reagan is one of the two aircraft carriers participating in JTFEX 07-1, Kraft said the ship and embarked air wing will play a significant role in supporting the training of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group that is preparing for an upcoming deployment.

Ronald Reagan is the Navy’s newest Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and returned to San Diego July 6 following its maiden combat deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.

We have some really neat stuff in our December 2006 Monitoring Times Milcom column.

Titled, The Navy MARISAT Satellite System - we cover the MARISAT UHF milsat birds, including their entire frequency bandplan and current operational status. We have all the details on this and the AFSATCOM systems in this column. We also cover US Army Aviation frequencies in the VHF/UHF bands, new information on the Tri-Service MARS ALE Net, and more on the removal of DoD FLIP Pub from the public domain.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2006 – After decades of secrecy, the Air Force today acknowledged that it flew Communist-built fighters at the Tonopah Test Range northwest of Las Vegas. From 1977 through 1988, the program, known as Constant Peg, saw U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine aircrews flying against Soviet-designed MiG fighters as part of a training program where American pilots could better learn how to defeat or evade the communist bloc's fighters of the day.

Brig. Gen. Hawk Carlisle, commander of the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, is a former member of the 4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron who remembers the valuable training the unit provided.

"Constant Peg afforded pilots an opportunity to learn how to fight enemy aircraft in a controlled, safe environment, without having to endure the risks of actual air combat," Carlisle said. "Typically a pilot would start with a basic familiarization flight to observe the enemy airplane and study its characteristics, practicing one-on-one defensive and offensive maneuvers against it, and finally, experience multi-bogey engagements high over the desert scrubland of the Nellis Air Force Base ranges.”

As a result of marginal performance of American fighter forces in the skies over North Vietnam, Constant Peg complemented other revolutionary training programs such as Red Flag, Top Gun and the Air Force and Navy-Marine aggressor squadrons. The program also was intended to eliminate the "buck fever" or nervous excitement many pilots experience on their first few combat missions. Historical experience indicated that pilots who survived their first 10 missions were much more likely to survive a complete combat tour, and Constant Peg was intended to teach them the right "moves" to enable them to come out on top of any engagement.

The end of Constant Peg nearly coincided with the end of the Cold War, by which time some of its "graduates" had already proven themselves in actual air combat.

Threat aircraft flown by the Red Eagles spanned several decades and technical generations of capability. There was the MiG-17 Fresco, a small, agile single-seat transonic fighter placed in service just after the Korean War and used extensively over Vietnam and the Middle East; the MiG-21 Fishbed, a high supersonic fighter used worldwide in large numbers; and the swing-wing MiG-23 Flogger, likewise in global service, an attempt by the Soviets to match the sophisticated capabilities of the F-4 Phantom.

"Although it came too late to influence Vietnam, Constant Peg training greatly influenced the success of American airmen in Operation Desert Storm, who shot down 40 Iraqi fighters, many of which were Fishbeds and Floggers," Carlisle said.

We still do not have any talkgroup information yet associated with this trunk system. We have also not received any information on this new system impact on the old 400 MHz UHF trunk system. Those frequencies include:

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, has planned some training flights that will take place above the nation's capital to test its rapid response capability.The flights, known as Exercise Falcon Virgo 07-02, are scheduled to take place from Tuesday, Nov 14 through Thursday, Nov 16.

According to Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, JTFEX is advanced level training designed to prepare JCSSG to deploy at the highest level of combat readiness.“JTFEX is a great training opportunity,” said Quinn. “Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet staff and Commander, Strike Force Training Pacific staff are embarked to assess our combat readiness as we progress from ready to surge, to ready to deploy.”

JTFEX marks the first time the JCSSG will conduct large-scale joint operations with the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Strike Group (RRSG). Together, they will provide a forceful military presence working to provide a secure and stable maritime environment while maintaining combat proficiencies across the spectrum of naval warfare.

JTFEX will test JCSSG’s ability to operate as a member of an international coalition to conduct major combat operations with a second carrier strike group. JTFEX will demonstrate JCSSG’s ability to plan and conduct various air warfare and maritime operations that it might face during its scheduled 2007 deployment.

Suppporting U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO) on the deployment, HSL-49, Curts and Coast Guardsmen worked together to interrupt the drug supply as close to its source as feasible.

“Our primary mission was to detect and monitor drug smuggling vessels,” said Lt. Cmdr. Pete Collins, officer-in-charge of HSL-49, Det. 2. “We integrated with Curts and the U.S. Coast Guard to locate, identify and query these boats for boarding and search by our Coast Guard law enforcement team.”

“Our goal is to interdict the flow of drugs on the high seas as far from the U.S. borders as possible,” said Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Greg Rogers.

The most successful counter drug operation of this deployment resulted in the capture and transfer of personnel and 8.5 metric tons of cocaine, which has an estimated street value of $850 million.

HSL-49, Det. 2 also flew two injured detainees ashore for medical treatment, conducted a search for 10 fishermen whose boat had capsized, and transported a Sailor ashore for emergency leave.

“None of us had gone on a counter-narcotics or terrorism deployment before,” said Collins. "But we set out with three goals: make sure we all come back safely, with all digits attached. We accomplished that. Do the operations; we accomplished that. Also, meet our personal goals for training and excellence... we accomplished that as well.”For more information on HSL 49, go to www.hsl49.navy.mil.

This satellite is in a sun synchronous orbit and will be a morning imaging satellite. It will replace DMSP 5D-2 F13 (USA 109) launched 3/24/1995 at 1405 UTC (1995-015A/23533). That bird will now become the in-orbit backup for F17 once it becomes operational.

The Block 5D-3 series accommodates larger sensor payloads than earlier generations. They also feature a larger capability power subsystem; a more powerful on-board computer with increased memory -- allowing greater spacecraft autonomy -- and increased battery capacity that extends the mean mission duration. Starting with F-17, the attitude control subsystem has also been enhanced with the integration of a second inertial measurement unit using ring laser, versus mechanical, gyros to provide greater precision pointing flexibility.

DMSP is used for strategic and tactical weather prediction to aid the U.S. military in planning operations at sea, on land and in the air. Equipped with a sophisticated sensor suite that can image visible and infrared cloud cover and measure precipitation, surface temperature, and soil moisture, the satellite collects specialized global meteorological, oceanographic, and solar-geophysical information in all weather conditions. The DMSP constellation comprises two spacecraft in near-polar orbits, C3 (command, control and communications), user terminals and weather centers. The most recent launch of a DMSP spacecraft took place on October 18, 2003 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, on the final Titan II booster flown.

Including DMSP F-17, four satellites remain to be launched and are maintained at Space Systems' operations in Sunnyvale, Calif. for storage, functional testing, and upgrading. The spacecraft are shipped to Vandenberg for launch when requested by the Air Force. Since 1965, 43 Lockheed Martin DMSP satellites have been launched successfully by the U.S. Air Force. Now in its fourth decade of service, the DMSP has proven itself to be a valuable tool in scheduling and protecting military operations on land, at sea and in the air. The Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. manages the DMSP program. This satellite is operated for DoD by NOAA who is also responsible for the NOAA polar orbiters.

The next Delta launch will be of a GPS navigation satellite aboard a Delta II from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., in mid-November.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Josh, another frequent reporter on the SoCalMilcom group, has monitored unid air-to-air activity on another one of my spectrum hole frequencies, 233.650 MHz in Southern California. More monitoring will be need to determine which agency/unit is using this former spectrum hole.

He uncovered the user of spectrum hole 268.050 MHz. That is a VMFA (AW)-225 air-to-air frequency. They are based out of MCAS Miramar.

And he has also uncovered an apparent Navy warship working aircraft on another spectrum hole, 376.250 MHz.

Bryan Herbert, reporting on the SoCalMilcom group Monday (11-5-2006), passed along a new air-to-air discrete frequency for the Saline MOA (R-2508) of 360.425 MHz. This is another one of my spectrum hole frequencies, so another one has been taken off the list. Callsign Joshua passed this freq along to aircraft callsigns Coso, Hammer, Banger and unid tanker for operations inside the MOA boundary.

The complete realignment of the 138-144/148-150.8 MHz DoD LMR bands continues here in the states -New CAP/MARS frequencies. Even if you don't live near a military facility, you should be searching the frequency ranges above using 12.5 kHz spacing on a regular basis. You might be surprised what you will hear. Note: both AM and narrowband FM modes are used in this band. There are very interesting military aircraft comms in these bands.

As always, if you hear something drop me a line. I would like to post what you are hearing.

On the Hearsat newsgroup, Allen Woodruff and Barney Hamlin made post on 30/31 Oct about an intercept they made on milsat downlink 262.125 MHz. Since it has generated some wide discussion across more than one newsgroup, I thought I would share my reply to them about what they heard.

Original post from Allen: "I got a rare catch on satcom today. around 5pm local I had 262.125 tuned in and I had units up in the clear. callsigns were Dog-25 and Nightstalker OPS. Dog-25 was in comms with nightstalker ops saying that he could not hear him with the cypher that he had loaded and didn't know what the problem was. later it looked like they got it to work, after that I heard nothing but encrypted comms on this frequency. if anyone would like to hear the audio clip I have uploaded to my web site. http://milsatcom.bravehost.com/index.html"

And from Barney Hamlin: "Still active with clear comms. "Gogo-43" calling"Spear-77" several times. Ivan Artner pointed out to me that this had to be from a CONUS sat since the Atlantic birds don't have atransponder using that frequency. The gentleman calling sounds like one of the people I heard the other night."

And my reply:

"Yes, this is definitely a CONUS bird, I just don't know if it is UFO Quebec or FLTSAT Charlie (which has been at the 100 deg position since I started monitoring milsat comms in the early 80s). As for Allen's intercept, Nightstalker Ops belongs to the 3-160 SOAR out of Hunter AAF. I have several intercepts from monitors in the area who have actually monitored comms from Nightstalker Ops on the uplink for this one 295.725 MHz. Over the last decade this satellite pair has been associated with DIRJIATF East (Key West FL) operations, but I am not sure if this is the case or if any of the SOAR 3-160 ops are associated with DIRJIATF East operations these days."

The current operations being heard in the clear on 262.125 definitely belong to the 3-160 SOAR out of Hunter AAF, Georgia. They appear to be operating primarily in the afternoon and evening hours east coast time.And the Dog and Raven callsigns are used by US Army MH-47 helicopters assigned to the 3-160 unit.

The Gogo and Spear callsigns might possibly be simulated assets. The Spear callsign has been associated with this function and JStars operations here in the southeast US over the last year or so. Not sure how this ties back with the 3-160 ops noted above, but this is the best info I have at this time.

On Oct 31, 2006, we reported this item from the SEESAT newsgroup, "Kevin Fetter reported on the SEESAT newsgroup that INMARSAT 2-F1 (20918) located at 143 deg east has been retired from service and moved into the geo graveyard."

This morning Chris Swan, Senior Satellite Controller, INMARSAT Ltd., dropped us some email that says that was in error. "We have in fact recently sent INMARSAT 2F3 to its graveyard orbit, 2F1 continues in geostationary orbit," writes Chris.

So there you have it straight from the horses mouth. Contrary to many reports, including information in The Satellite Encyclopedia, INMARSAT 2F3 (1991-084B/21814) is retired from service, and INMARSAT 2F1 (1990-093A/20918) is still operational.